Lake Oswego Amateur Radio Emergency Service

WA7LO

The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) is a program sponsored by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), and consists of radio amateur operators who volunteer their time and communications skills in the public interest when disaster strikes.

Facilitated and supported by the Lake Oswego Fire Department, the formation of the volunteer radio operators group provides the City a backup communication system. This tertiary system will connect the Lake Oswego Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Fire Stations, Police, Public Works, and Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) in the field. In addition, ARES communicate with Clackamas County’s EOC, the State’s EOC, hospitals, and the National Guard. The radio group can be activated by City's EOC or self-activate during major emergencies. Emergencies such as floods, wind storms, winter storms, suburban fires, earthquakes, and terrorism are examples of emergencies that could require assistance from the ARES group.

Every licensed amateur is eligible for membership in ARES. The only qualification, other than possession of an Amateur Radio license, is a desire to serve.

At a local level the Lake Oswego Amateur Radio Emergency Service (LO ARES) serves the Lake Oswego City Emergency Manager. The Manager is responsible for the coordination and deployment of the Fire Department, Police Department, and other city agencies in an emergency or disaster that effects the public safety and welfare.

The Lake Oswego ARES meets monthly at the Main Fire Station, 300 B Avenue, Lake Oswego, on the 3rd Wednesday of each month from 7 to 9 p.m. The meetings are open to anyone interested in participating.

Lake Oswego ARES also holds a weekly NET on 2 meters every Sunday from approximately 7:30 to 8 p.m., frequency 146.500 Mhz simplex. This NET starts after the completion of the CARES Net starting at 7 p.m., frequency 147.120 Mhz+ duplex.